What is a key characteristic of moral panics surrounding girls' sexuality historically?

Monitoring and control over behavior serves as a key characteristic of moral panics concerning girls' sexuality throughout history. During these periods of panic, societal fears often manifest in attempts to regulate and restrict girls' sexual expression and autonomy. This monitoring is driven by the perception that girls and young women pose a threat to traditional moral values or social norms, leading to increased scrutiny of their behavior.

These moral panics typically result in campaigns or initiatives aimed at controlling how girls behave, dress, and interact with others. Such responses reflect societal anxieties about changing attitudes towards sexuality and gender roles, often manifesting in community condemnation or legislation aimed at reinstating perceived moral standards. As a result, rather than empowering girls or acknowledging their autonomy in making choices about their sexuality, the societal response tends to focus on controlling their behaviors to fit into historically acceptable norms.